I’m usually pretty open-minded when it comes to reading or hearing the views of foreign journalists about South Africa. I enjoy hearing their perspectives, even if they are sometimes a bit naive and dewy-eyed. Occasionally I will get frustrated that they fail to see a broader picture or take our unique context into consideration. Rarely, [Continue]

Sometimes writing a blog entry is hard work. Occasionally, though, someone gives you material – an idea, a reference or image to work from – that is so rich, so ripe with possibility it makes you want to hurl yourself at the feet of the giver, weeping with gratitude. [Continue]

Like a couple of thousand others I have listened to ANC Spokesperson Jesse Duarte’s interaction with Times journalist Philani Nombembe with my jaw on the floor. If you haven’t yet heard it, listen to it now. http://multimedia.timeslive.co.za/audio/2009/04/duarte-blows-her-top/ A more deeply patronising, arrogant assault on a young guy [Continue]

OK so here we are in 2009. And I am painfully aware that I haven’t written a lengthy blog for some time now. That’s not about to change. I’m still on holiday – on the tail end of a relaxing two weeks in Kimberley (is there any other way to be in Kimberley?) and while [Continue]